Roller leveler



Nov. 11, 1969 A. A. FORNATARO ROLLER LEVELER 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1967 Nov. 11, 1969 A. A. FORNATARO 3,477,266

ROLLER LEVELER Filed May 17, 1967 s Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

AUGUSTINE A. FORNATARO Nov. 11, 1969 A. A. FORNATARO ROLLER LEVELER 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 17, 1967 m'ExToR.

AUGUSTINE A, F'ORNATARO Nov. 11, 1969 A. A. FORNATARO ROLLER LEVELEH 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 17, 1967 I I I INVENTOR.

AUGUSTINE A. FORNATARO 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ROLLER LEVELER A. A. FORNATARO Nov. 11, 1969 Filed May 17, 1967 INVENTOR,

AUGUSTINE A. FORNATARO BY 542,4 M Q Nov. 1 1, 1969 A. A. FORNATARO ROLLER LEVELER 8 Sheets-Sheet P.

Filed May 17, 1967 fi. ,7 J w W w m E TI |\\NN 7 4/ MN l/QR %w E A INVENTOR. AUGUSTINE A. FORNATARO BY D Nov. 11, 1969 A. A. FORNATARO 7 ROLLER LEVELER Filed May 17, 1967 8 SheetsSheet 7 QNM Q m EmoR, AUGUSTINE A. FORNATARO 5M J M. Q

Nov. 11, 1969 A. A. FORNATARO ROLLER LEVELER 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 17, 1967 INVENTOR. AUGUSTINE A. FORNATARO Mlxfu. v n .r. I l1! 2. I Erna wvw NE United States Patent C U.S. Cl. 72-165 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for leveling or flattening metal sheets by working the sheet over the interrupting arcs of upper and lower sets of long slender leveling rolls carried by a top frame and a bottom frame. The bottom frame supports the lower set of leveling rolls and is adjusted relative to the top frame by a pair of opposed wedges at each side of the frame. Mechanical actuators are connected to the wedges and are actuated by drive motors to raise and lower the entire frame or selectively raise or lower a side edge of the frame, the front or the rear edge of the frame to thereby adjust and position the lower set of leveling rolls relative to the upper set of leveling rolls for optimum leveling or flattening metal sheets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a roller leveler and more particularly to a roller leveler having common elements for adjusting the height and the tilt of a set of leveling rolls.

Description of the prior art Roller levelers generally flatten a metal sheet by working the sheet over the interrupting arcs of upper and lower sets of long, slender leveling rolls The two sets of leveling rolls work the sheet in accordance with the pressure applide to the sheet. Both sets of leveling rolls are supported by adjustable back-up roller assemblies that apply controlled pressure transversely across the sheet. In addition, at least one set of leveling rolls is mounted in a frame member that is adjustable relative to the other set of rolls.

The adjustable frame is positioned to obtain the desired optimum horizontal spacing between the upper and lower sets of leveling rolls. This adjustment is generally designated the height adjustment and is the basic adjustment of the roller leveler. The height adjustment controls the spacing of the bottom and top leveling rolls to accommodate sheets of different gauges.

Height adjustment has been accomplished in the past by supporting the sides of the bottom frame on a movable wedge member. The bottom frame had saddle yoke portions depending downwardly from each side. An inclined portion of the saddle rested on the inclined portion of the wedge and thus provided support for the bottom frame. The height of the bottom set of rolls was adjusted by advancing or retracting the wedges relative to the saddles. Separate screws, each rotated by a separate motor, moved each wedge in and out relative to the saddles, thereby raising or lowering the bottom frame member. In order to raise and lower both sides of the bottom frame equally, each wedge had to be moved an equal distance in or out with respect to the saddles. If one wedge was inadvertently moved a different distance relative to the other wedge, the space between the top and bottom set of leveling rolls would not be equal, and an undesirable and unintentional longitudinal tilt would be set in the roller leveler. Longitudinal tilt or longitudinal slope may be generally defined as the deviation of the longitudinal axis of the bottom set of leveling rolls from a 3,477,266 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 horizontal plane. The following patents illustrate the single wedge type adjusting means, Lawson3,156,288; Shie1ds2,796,908; Maust2,638,143 and Bearer3,- 301,031.

Controlled longitudinal tilt is another important and necessary adjustment for one set of rolls in a roller leveler. A set of leveling rolls is intentionally tilted along the longitudinal axes of the rolls when it is desired to vary the pressure applied to either edge of the sheet. In the past, longitudinal tilt was accomplished by raising or lowering separately one side of either the bottom frame or the top frame by a single individual wedge to thereby increase or decrease the space between the top and bottom sets of leveling rolls at the corresponding side of the leveler. With this adjustment, the pressure applied to either edge of the sheet may be controlled to work the edges of the sheet at a different pressure.

Another important and necessary adjustment for one set of rolls in the roller leveler is the so-called transverse slope adjustment. Transverse slope or banking of the rolls may be defined as the transverse angular deviation of the set of rolls from a horizontal plane. Transverse slope adjustment has been accomplished in the past by pivoting the bottom frame and bottom set of rolls about a pivot axis usually coaxial with the axis of the central roll of the bottom roll set. The transverse slope of the bottom frame controls the pressure applied to the sheet as it enters the leveler. Separate apparatus other than the apparatus provided for height adjustment and longitudinal tilt is utilized in the prior art levelers to adjust the transverse slope of a set of leveling rolls. U.S. Patents 3,- 301,031 and 28907 38 are exemplary of such separate adjusting apparatus that is useful only in changing the transverse slope of a set of rolls in the rollers leveler.

U.S. Patent 3,301,031, for example, a separate eccentric in an eccentric guide attached to each end of the frame. Shafts, rotated through a common gear reducer, driven by a motor, turn both eccentrics simultaneously. The motion of the eccentrics shifts the eccentric guides and tilts the bottom frame radially. The purpose of the transverse slope adjustment is to restrict the space between the top and bottom sets of leveling rolls at the sheet entry side of the leveler and thereby increase the work performed on the sheet at the entry side of the leveler.

Another important and necessary adjustment for the rolls in a roller leveler is the roll bend adjustment. A roll bend adjustment controls the pressure applied to the edges or center of the sheet. To accomplish roll bend adjustment the top set of leveling rolls are conventionally deflected as a unit by adjusting the relative position of the top back-up roller supports relative to the top frame. The relative position of the top back-up roller supports is controlled by wedge members that are connected by screws through gearing so that the screws drive the wedges in or out in unison. The wedges, at the center of the leveling rolls, are tapered more than the wedges at the ends of the leveling rolls and the movement of all of the wedges inwardly or outwardly bends the leveling rolls into either a concave or convex shape depending upon the type of adjustment desired. Where it is desired to appy a greater pressure to the center of the sheet, the leveling rolls are bent or deflected into a convex shape. Alternatively, where it is desired to apply a greater pressure to the edges of the sheet, the leveling rolls are deflected into a concave shape. U.S. Patent 2,365,114 illustrates apparatus for providing the desired roll bend adjustment. Apparatus for providing roll bend adjustment does not form a part of the hereinafter described invention other than the apparatus for providing height, longitudinal tilt and transverse slope adjustment herein disclosed, provides ample space for and does not interfere with conventional roll bend adjustment apparatus.

3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention eliminates the complex adjusting apparatus presented in the prior art roller levelers and themany problems associated with the operation of the complex adjusting apparatus. In addition, the herein described roller leveler utilizes the same adjusting apparatus for imparting roll height, transverse slope, and longitudinal tilt adjustments instead of separate apparatus for certain of the adjustments as had been the practice in the past. Briefly, the present invention is directed to a roller leveler in which the bottom frame is adjusted by the movement of a pair of opposed spaced wedges at each side of the bottom frame relative to a pair of semicircular discs or slippers associated with the wedges to selectively provide all of the desired adjustments.

The actuating mechanisms for the opposed spaced wedges include a pair of shafts adjacent one end of the bottom frame that are rotated through a common gear reducer driven by a motor. Each shaft moves one wedge of each pair of opposed wedges at the opposite sides of the bottom frame through an appropriate mechanical actuator. The mechanical actuator converts the rotary motion of the shafts to linear motion and moves the respective Wedges in or out relative to the semicircular t side of the bottom frame moves the other wedge of each pair of opposed wedges at opposite sides of the bottom frame in the same manner described above.

To adjust the height, i.e. the space between the bottom set of rolls and the top set of rolls, both motors are operated to thereby move each pair of wedges at the pposite sides of the bottom frame an equal distance. Since one of the wedges of each pair of opposed wedges is mechanically tied to the other wedge on the opposite side of the leveler, no undesirable or unintentional tilt can be set in the leveler.

To provide longitudinal tilt for the lower set of rolls, the pair of opposed wedges at one side of the bottom frame is moved in or out equal distances thereby raising or lowering the corresponding side of the bottom frame. Since two opposed wedges on one side are utilized to effect the longitudinal tilt, the side edge of the lower frame will be raised or lowered equally at both ends and the adjusting forces are equally distributed along the side of the lower frame.

Further, with the present apparatus, in order to adjust the transverse slope of the bottom set of rolls, i.e. increase or decrease the space between the bottom or top set of leveling rolls at the sheet entry end of the leveler, one of the wedges of each opposed pair of wedges is moved in and out thereby pivoting the bottom frame about a point adjacent the opposite wedge and raising or lowering the entry or exit endsof the bottom frame. Again since two opposed wedges are utilized at each side of the bottom frame and only one of which is moved at each opposite end to affect radial tilt, the space between the leveling rolls at the sheet exit end of the leveler will not be appreciably affected. Readjustment of the height of the set of rolls does not have to be made to provide proper spacing at the exit end of the leveler.

Although the various adjustments in the bottom set of rolls can be made separately, it should be understood, with the hereinafter described apparatus, that it is now possible to make several of the adjustments at the same time. Because the three adjustments are now made with the same apparatus, the height of the roller leveler is substantially reduced.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide a roller leveler in which the same apparatus is employed to adjust the height, radial tilt and longitudinal tilt of a set of leveling rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a roller leveler in which longitudinal tilt cannot be inadvertently made to a set of rolls during height adjustment of that set of rolls.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a roller leveler in which adjustment in transverse slope can be made without appreciably changing the previously set height adjustment.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more completely disclosed and described in the following specification, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of my improved roller leveler.

FIGURE 2 is a view in end elevation of the roller leveler illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view in side elevation of the roller leveler shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrating the operators side of the roller leveler and having parts broken away to illustrate the adjustment mechanism.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view in section taken along the line -44 in FIGURE 3 illustrating the corner posts in section and the drive mechanism for adjusting the longitudinal tilt of the bottom set of work rolls.

FIGURE 5 is a partial view in vertical section taken along the line 55 in FIGURE 3 illustrating one of the opposed wedge type adjusting members and the semicircular disc or slipper member positioned between the wedge member and the bottom frame.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 in side elevation illustrating the drive side of the roller leveler with parts broken away to illustrate the adjusting mechanism.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view in section taken along the line 77 in FIGURE 6 illustrating the other pair of corner posts in section and the actuators for the opposed wedge members.

FIGURE 8 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 88 in FIGURE 6 illustrating one of the pair of opposed wedge members and the semicircular disc or slipper member positioned between the bottom frame and the wedge member.

FIGURE 9 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 99 in FIGURE 4 illustrating the mechanical actuator for selectively moving a wedge member. The bottom frame and slipper member are omitted from FIG- URE 9.

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the mechanical actuator illustrated in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a view in end elevation of the mechanical actuator for the wedge members on the drive side of the leveler.

FIGURE 12 is a view in end elevation of the wedge member illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10.

FIGURE 13 is a view in side elevation of a circular disc or slipper member that is positioned on the inclined surface of the wedge member.

FIGURE 14 is a view in end elevation of the slipper member illustrated in FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a view similar to FIGURE 13 illustrating another embodiment of the slipper member having a spherical surface that is positioned in a mating spherical receiver in the frame.

FIGURE 16 is a view in section taken along the line 1616 in FIGURE 15 illustrating the embodiment of the slipper member illustrated in FIGURE 15. The wedge member and a portion of the frame member with the spherical recess are illustrated in phantom.

FIGURE 17 is a semidiagrammatic perspective view of the opposed wedge adjusting mechanism and the actuator members arranged to advance and retract the wedge mem ber.

FIGURES 18, 19 and 20 are exaggerated diagrammatic views illustrating the various adjustments that may be made to the bottom frame with the adjusting mechanism diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE 17 and illustrated in detail in FIGURES 116. Although FIGURES 18, 19 and 20 illustrates separate adjustments, any combination of these adjustments may be accomplished simultaneously.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 6, a roller leveler generally designated by the numeral that has a base frame 12 with four upstanding corner posts 14, 16, 18 and 20. The corner posts 1420 are secured to the base frame 12 and support a top frame 22 that is clamped thereto. The top frame 22 in turn supports an upper set of leveling or work rolls generally designated by the numeral 24 and illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURES 3 and 6. There are also suitable back-up rolls (not shown) within the top frame 22 which are in abutting relation with the top set of leveling rolls 24 and serve as a support means and are movable vertically for roll bend adjustment. A bottom frame generally designated by the numeral 26 supports a bottom set of leveling rolls generally designated by the numeral 28 and suitable back-up rolls not shown. The bottom frame 26 is adjustable vertically relative to the top frame 22 to adjust the planar relationship of the bottom set of leveling rolls 28 relative to the top set of leveling rolls 24 as will be later described in detail. The bottom frame 26 is restrained from horizontal movement relative to the top frame 22 by edges of the bearing journals supporting the bottom rolls abutting inside surfaces of the corner posts 1420 as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 6.

For convenience, the side of the roller assembly 10, illustrated in FIGURE 6 between the corner posts 14 and 16, is referred to as the drive side 30. The side of the roller leveler 10 between the corner posts 18 and is illustrated in FIGURE 3 and is designated the operators side 32 and the end of the roller leveler between the corner posts 14 and 18 (FIGURE 1) is designated as the entry end 34 of the roller leveler assembly 10. The opposite end of the roller leveler illustrated in FIGURE 2 is designated the exit end 36 of the roller leveler assembly 10. It should be understood, with the hereinafter described arrangement of the roller leveler assembly 10, that sheets or strips may be fed into the roller leveler 10 from either the entry end 34 or the exit end 36, and the above designations are used for orientation purposes only.

The top frame 22 rigidly supporting the top set of work rolls 24 and the associated back-up rolls is supported on the vertical posts 14, 16, 18 and 20. Jack screws (not shown) are provided within the top frame and are connected to the respective corner posts. The jack screws'are arranged to rapidly lift or raise the top frame 22 and the top set of work rolls 24 to space the top work rolls 24 from the bottom rolls 28 and permit sheets or strip to pass between the sets of rolls 24 and 28. The jack screws are controlled by four top frame lift motors 38 (FIGURE 1). The motors 38 are connected through suitable shafting to gearing within housing 40 positioned in overlying relationship with the respective corner posts. By actuating the motors 38, the lift jacks move the top frame 22 upwardly on the corner posts 1420 to space the top set of work rolls 24 from the bottom set of work rolls 28.

The bottom frame 26 is slidably positioned between pairs of corner posts 1416 and 18-20 and is maintained in position relative to the corner posts 1416 and 1820 by the roll bearing journal edge portions 27 and 29 abutting the inner surfaces of the respective corner posts. The bearing journal edge portions 27 and 29 are, however, slidable vertically on the surfaces of the corner postsfor adjustment purposes later described. The bottom frame 26 has a body portion 42 (FIGURES 4, 5, 7 and 8) with laterally extending support members 44 and 4-6. The laterally extending support member 44 is positioned on the drive side 30 of the roller assembly 10 between the posts 14 and 16 as is illustrated in detail in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8. The laterally extending support member 44 has an elongated configuration with a pair of spaced semicircular recessed portions 48 and 50. The recessed portions 48 and 50 are formed in the underside of the support member 44 adjacent the vertical posts 14 and 16. Semicircular discs or slippers 52 and 54 are positioned in the respective recessed portions 48 and 50 and are rotatably movable therein. The slippers 52 and 54 are illustrated in detail in FIGURES l3 and 14 and have a relatively wide semicircular upper surface 56 with channels 58 therein for the distribution of lubricant along the surface 56. The discs 52 and 54 have a relatively wide planar base portion 60 with a depending leg 62 forming a shoulder portion 64.

The discs 52 and 54 are supported on a pair of opposed spaced wedge members 66 and 68 respectively. The opposed wedges 66 and 68 are in turn slidably supported in a transverse guideway 70 formed in the wedge supporting member 72. The wedge supporting member 72 is rectangular in elevation and has an upper planar surface 74 with an upwardly extending portion 75 forming a shoulder 77 and an upwardly extending guide 76 along the outer edge as is illustrated in FIGURE 8. The wedge members 66 and 68 are slidably positioned on the surface 74 and support the bottom frame 26 on the drive side 30. The wedge supporting member 72 is suitably secured to the roller assembly base 12 and the corner posts 14 and 16 to form a rigid unyielding support for the wedge members 66 and 68. The corner posts 14 and 16 have slotted portions 78 and 80 (FIGURE 6) and portions of the respective opposed wedge members 66 and 68 extend through the slotted portions 78 and 80 and are connected to actuating members as later described. With this arrangement, the opposed wedges 66 and 68 are supported on the fixed wedge support 72 and the discs 52 and 54 are supported on the inclined surface of the respective wedge members 66 and 68 and the drive side of the bottom frame 26 is in turn supported on the discs 52 and 54.

Similarly, on the opposite side of the roller leveler 10, i.e. the operators side 32, FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, the bottom frame body portion 42 has a laterally extending support member 46 slidably positioned between posts 18 and 20. The undersurface of the support member 46 has a pair of recessed portions 82 and 84 therein. Semicircular discs 86 and 88 are positioned in the semicircular recessed portions 82 and 84 in a manner similar to the semicircular discs or slippers 52 and 54. The discs 86 and 88 have a configuration similar to that illustrated in FIGURES 13 and 14.

A pair of spaced opposed wedge members 90 and 92 are slidably supported in a guideway 94in the wedge supporting member 96. As illustrated in FIGURE 5, the wedge supporting member 96 has an upper wedge support surface 98 with an upstanding portion 100 forming a shoulder 102 and an upwardly extending guide member 104 secured to the outer edge of the supporting member 96. The wedge members 90 and 92 are positioned within the guideway 94 in supporting member 96 formed by the shoulder 102 and upwardly extending guide member 104. With this arrangement, the opposed wedge members 90 and 92 move longitudinally on the surface 98 of guide member 94. The discs 86 and 88 are slidably positioned on the inclined surface of the respective wedge members 90 and 92 with the depending shoulder portions 64 (FIG- URE l4) abutting the side wall of the respective wedge members. The discs 86 and 88 are in turn positioned with in the recessed portions 82 and 84 in the laterally extending support member 46. The operators side 32 of the bottom frame 26 is thus adjustably supported between the corner posts 18 and 20. The corner posts 18 and 20 each has a slotted portion 106 and 108 adjacent the wedge support 96. Portions of the respective wedges 90 and 92 extend through the slotted portions 106 and 108 and are connected to actuating means as will later be described.

The wedge members 66, 68, 90 and 92 all have the same external configuration, as for example, the wedge member 92 illustrated in FIGURES 9, and 12. The wedge members have a bottom planar surface 110, and inclined upper surface 112, an elongated end wall 114, and another end wall 116. The wedge members 90 and 92 have a transverse circular bore 118 therethrough and a longitudinal bore 120. There is positioned in the transverse bore 118 a circular nut 122 that has an internally threaded bore 124 therethrough. The wedge members 66 and 68 on the drive side of the roller leveler assembly 10 have a similar external configuration as wedges and 92 with the same angularity in the slope of the inclined surface 112. The Wedge members 66 and 68 have a longitudinal bore 126 therein (see wedge 68, FIGURE 6) in which there is positioned an actuator shaft 128 that is nonrotatably secured to the wedge member by a dowel pin 130 extending transversely therethrough. The wedge 66 is similarly connected to an actuator shaft 132.

Where desired, both the disc member and the support member associated therewith may have' semi-spherical mating surfaces as is illustrated in FIGURES 15 and 16. 'In FIGURE 15, the semi-spherical disc member 134 is illustrated in side elevation and has a semi-spherical upper surface 136 and a planar undersurface 140 similar to the surface 60 arranged to abut the inclined surface 112 of the wedge member. The semi-spherical disc member 134 has a depending leg 138 that abuts the side of the wedge member. The recessed portion of the support member similar to recessed portions 4850 and 8284 has a semi-spherical configuration 141 as is illustrated in phantom in FIGURE 16, that mates with the semi spherical upper surface 136 of disc 134. The curved mating semi-spherical surfaces 136 and 141 function as a ball and socket so that the surfaces 136 contact or abut surface 141 through all degrees of adjustment of the bottom frame 26.

Referring to FIGURES 9 and 10, the wedge members 90 and 92 are connected to actuator mechanisms 142 and 144 (FIGURE 4). The actuator mechanism may be of the type disclosed in copending application U.S. Ser. No. 630,617. The actuator mechanisms 142 and 144 are of similar construction and include a housing 146 (FIG- URES 9 and 10) with a front wall 148 and a rear wall 150. The front wall 148 has a central opening 152 therethrough and a flanged portion 154 with bolt receiving bores 156 therein. The rear wall has a cover plate 158 secured thereto with an opening 160 therein that is aligned with opening 152 in the front wall 148. Positioned within the housing 146 are a pair of worm wheels 162 and 164. The worm wheel 162 is rotatably supported on bearings 166 and 168 and has an axial bore 170 therethrough with a pair of inwardly extending keys 172 and 174 extending longitudinally therethrough. The outer surface of worm wheel 162 has worm gearing 176 f rmed thereon which meshes with the worm gearing 178 on transverse drive shaft 180. The transverse drive shaft 180 is rotatably mounted transverse to the axis of the worm wheel 162 within the housing 146 and is arranged to rotate worm wheel 162 as will be later described.

The worm wheel 164 has an internally threaded bore 182 and a geared portion 184 formed on its peripheral surface. The worm wheel 164 is also rotatably supported within the housing 146 on bearings 186 and 188. A second transverse drive shaft 190 has external worm gearing 192 that meshes with geared portion 184 and is arranged upon rotation to rotate the worm wheel 164. An actuator screw on shaft 194 drivingly connects the actuator 144 with the wedge member 92. The shaft 194 has an externally threaded portion 196 and a pair of longitudinal keyways 198 and 200. The shaft is positioned in the bores of the worm wheels 162 and 164 and is threadably secured to worm wheel 164 and nonrotatably secured to worm wheel 162. The actuator shaft 194 has a thread 202 that is of a different pitch than the thread 196 and is threadably secured in the bore 124 of circular nut 122. With this arrangement, rotation of worm wheel 162, by shaft 180, will rotate the shaft 194 nonrotatably secured thereto by keys 172 and 174. The rotation of shaft 194 will advance or retract the shaft relative to worm wheel 164 which is maintained stationary by the threaded relationship therebetween. The shaft 194 is longitudinally movable relative to the worm wheel 162 by the elongated keyways 198 and 200. The rotation of shaft 194, because of the differential in threads 196 and 202, will rotate the shaft 194 in the threads 124 of nut 122 and advance or retract the wedge 92 because of the differential thread arrangement. Similarly, the shaft 194 is arranged to advance or retract relative to the actuator 144 by rotating the transverse shaft 190 and maintaining the transverse shaft 180 stationary. Because of the keys 172 and 174 and keyways 198 and 200, the shaft 194 does not rotate within the housing 146. Rotation of worm wheel 164, by means of transverse shaft 190, will advance or retract the shaft 194 because of the threaded relationship between the internal bore 182 of worm wheel 164 and the external thread 196 on shaft 194. The advancing or retracting of nonrotating shaft 194 will advance or retract the wedge 92 the same distance because of the threaded engagement between the nut 122 and shaft 194.

Referring to FIGURES 6, 7 and 11, the wedges 66 and 68 are nonrotatably connected to drive shafts 128 and 132 as previously described. As is illustrated in FIGURE 11, the drive shaft 128 has a threaded portion 204 that extends through a bore of a worm wheel (not shown) similar to the worm wheel 164 illustrated in FIGURE 9. The worm wheel in turn meshes with a transverse shaft 206 so that rotation of shaft 206 advances or retracts the drive shaft 128 within the internal bore of the worm wheel in a similar manner to the worm wheel 164 with the shaft 194 extending therethrough. The shaft 204 is nonrotatably secured to the wedge 68 and is capable of advancing or retracting by longitudinal displacement within the wheel. The shafts 128 and 206 and worm wheel (not shown) are housed within a mechanical actuator 208 and secured to the respective vertical posts in overlying relation with the slotted portions therein. The actuator 210 is similar in construction to the actuator 208 and is arranged to advance or retract the wedge 66. Cup shaped housings 212 and 214 (FIGURE 7) are secured to the end portions of respective actuators 208 and 210 to house the respective shafts 128 and 132 when the wedges 66 and 68 are in a retracted position. Similar cup shaped housings 216 and 218 (FIGURE 4) are secured to the mechancial actuators 144 and 142 to house the respective shafts 194 in a 1etracted position. It should be understood that mechanical actuators 142 and 144 are of similar configuration as are mechanical actuators 208 and 210. With the above mechanical actuators 142, 144, 208 and 210, the respective wedges 90, 92, 66 and 68 may be advanced or retracted, as desired, by the rotation of the worm wheel within the respective mechanical actuators.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 4, the mechanical actuator 144 has a transverse drive shaft 190 connected to an axially aligned shaft 220 by a coupling 222. The other transverse drive shaft 180 is connected by means of coupling 224 to a shaft 226 extending from a gear box 228. A shaft 230 extends from the gear box 228 at right angles to the shaft 226 and suitable gearing within the gear box 228 connects the shafts 226 and 230 to each other. The shaft 230 is connected through a coupling 232 to an elongated shaft 234 that extends along the operators side 32 of the roller leveler 10. A similar gear box 236 has a straight through shaft 238 connected by means of coupling 240 to shaft 234, so that rotation of shaft 238 is transmitted to shaft 234 through gear box 228 to transverse drive shaft 180 associated with the mechanical actuator 144. An angular shaft 242 extends from the gear box 236 and is suitably geared to shaft 238 for rotation therewith. The shaft 242 is connected to the transverse drive shaft 244 of mechanical actuator 142 by coupling 246. The transverse drive shaft 244 is similar to the transverse drive shaft 180 associated Wtih the mechanical actuator 144. A motor 248 is connected by a coupling 250 to the shaft 238 so that rotation of motor 248 is transmitted through the above described shafting and gearing to the pair of actuator shafts 180 and 244 in the respective mechanical actuators 144 and 142. The mechanical actuators 142 and 144 are so arranged that rotation of the shafts 180 and 244 advance or retract the pair of opposed wedges 98 and 92 the same distance either toward or away from each other. The discs 86 and 88 slide on the inclined surface of the pair of opposed wedges 90 and 92 and also rotate in the semicircular recessed portions 82 and 84 to either raise or lower the operators side of the bottom frame 26. Although the above described adjustment mechanism is located on the operators side 32, the same adjusting mechanism could also be located on the drive side of the roller leveler 10. Mechanical actuators similar to mechanical actuators 142 and 144 should be substituted for the actuators 208 and 210 when this modification is made.

Referring to FIGURE 1, on the entry end 34 of roller leveler 10, the transverse drive shaft 190 of mechanical actuator 144 is connected through shaft 220 to a gear box 254 located intermediate the sides of the roller leveler 10. A similar shaft 256 connects the mechanical actuator 210 on the drive side 30 of the roller leveler 10 to the gear box 254. A motor 258 is connected to the gear box 254 through shafting 260 in a manner that rotation of shaft 260 is transmitted through gear box 254 to shafts 220 and 256. With this arrangement, the rotation of shaft 256 advances or retracts the wedge 66 (FIGURE 4) adjacent to post 14, and shaft 252 rotates transverse actuator shaft 190 in mechanical actuator 144 to advance or retract the actuator shaft 194 associated with the wedge 92 extending through post 18. Thus, the actuation of motor 258 will advance or retract the wedges 66 and 92 adjacent the roller leveler entry end 34 to raise or lower the edge of the bottom frame 26 by the same amount.

Similarly, a motor 262 adjacent the exit end of the roller leveler has a shaft 264 connected to a gear box 266. Extending laterally in opposite directions from the gear box 266 are shafts 268 and 270. The shaft 268 is connected to the transverse shaft 272 of actuator 142 that is similar to the transverse shaft 190 in actuator 144. The shaft 270 is likewise connected t the transverse drive shaft 206 of the actuator 208. Actuation of the motor 262 will advance or retract the wedges 68 and 90 adjacent the roller leveler exit end 36 to raise or lower the exit end of the bottom frame 26. Where it is desired, both motors 258 and 262 are simultaneously energized to raise or lower the entire bottom frame 26 while maintaining the frame in the same planar relationship to a horizontal plane. Several of the motors 248, 258 and 262 may be energized together to provide more than one of the hereinafter described adjustments.

There is also provided apparatus for deflecting the upper leveling rolls 24 to either a concave or convex configuration to apply pressure to either the center or the edges of the strip as it passes through the roller leveler 10. This roll bend adjustment may be accomplished by adjusting the back-up rolls that support the top rolls 24. The bottom rolls may also be adjusted to deflect the rolls at a particular preselected location along their longitudinal axis to apply localized pressure to the strip as it passes through the roller leveler. This is accomplished by moving groups of the back-up rolls to deflect the bottom work rolls 28 at the preselected loca- 10 tion. There are also provided various indicators, limit switches, controls and the like for determining the relative position of the bottom set of work rolls 28. The controls, limit switches and position indicator means, although illustrated, have not been described in detail and do not form a part of the invention.

OPERATION FIGURES 17-20 will be referred to in describing the various adjustments that can be made to the bottom frame 26 by the opposed wedge type adjusting mechanism. It should be understood, however, that FIGURES 17-20 are schematic and the reference should be made to FIGURES 1-16 inclusive for the detailed construction and configuration of the various elements. In FIG- URE 17 the schematic designation of the bottom frame 26, for clarity, omits the roller journal bearings that restrain horizontal movement of the bottom frame relative to the top frame. It should be understood, however, that a means is provided, as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 6, to restrain horizontal movement of the bottom frame 26.

Height adjustment FIGURE 18 is intended to illustrate the manner in which the height or elevation of the roller leveler bottom frame 26 may be changed or adjusted. During this adjustment the bottom frame 26 remains in the same angular plane to a given datum plane as it is moved vertically relative thereto. The datum plane is illustrated in FIGURE 18 by the letter A and an adjusted position below the datum plane is illustrated by the lines and is designated by the letter B. Similarly, an adjusted position above the datum plane is illustrated in dotted lines and is designated by the letter C.

To adjust the elevation of the bottom frame 26 that supports the bottom set of leveling rolls 28, the motor 258 adjacent the roller leveler entry end 34 and motor 262 adjacent the exit end 36 are simultaneously energized while motor 248 is de-energized or inactive. When it is desired to move the bottom set of leveling rolls 28 toward the top set of leveling rolls 24, the bottom frame 26 is moved from position A, illustrated in FIGURE 18, to position C. The frame 26 is elevated by retracting the pairs of opposed wedges 66-68 and -92 by actuating motors 258 and 262. Motor 258 transmits rotation through shaft 260 to gear box 254 and then through shafts 220 and 256 to mechanical actuators 144 and 210. Rotation of shaft 256 within mechanical actuator 210 retracts threaded shaft 132 which is secured to the wedge 66 by a dowel pin connection. Rotation of shaft 228 is transmitted to the worm wheel within actuator 144 to retract actuator shaft 194 as was previously described in connection with FIGURES 9 and 10. The motor 248 being de-ener'gized maintains the other transverse shaft of actuator 144 stationary to prevent rotation of shaft 194 so that the shaft is retracted by the longitudinal displacement within the worm wheel threaded bore 182. The wedge 92 is retracted by the longitudinal movement of shaft 194. Similarly, motor 262 on the exit side of the roller leveler rotates the shafts connected thereto to move shaft 128 in mechanical actuator 208 and shaft 19411 in mechanical actuator 142 rearwardly to retract the wedges 68 and 90. With this arrangement, the slippers 52, 54, 86 and 88 slide up the inclined planes of the associated Wedge members to elevate the lower frame 26 to the position illustrated by the letter C in FIGURE 18.

Where it is desired to move the bottom set of leveling rolls from the position illustrated by the letter C to either the datum plane A or to an adjusted position therebelow indicated by the letter B, the motors 258 and 262 are energized to rotate in the direction opposite to that previously described so that the wedge members 66, 68, 90 and 92 are advanced along the respective guideways 70 and 94. As the opposed wedge members move toward each other, the slippers slide along the inclined planes of the associated wedge members to lower the frame 26 as illustrated. It will be apparent with this arrangement, the controlled rotation of both motors 258 and 262, for the same number of revolutions, retains the bottom set of leveling rolls 28 in the same angular relationship with a datum plane as the bottom frame moves upwardly or downwardly. For example, if the bottom frame 26 was in a horizontal plane in position A (FIGURE 18), the bottom frame 26 and the bottom set of leveling rolls 28 would remain in a horizontal plane in adjusted positions B or C. This planar relationship would remain throughout all degrees of height adjustment.

Entry or exit end adjustment FIGURE 19 illustrates the manner in which the ends of the bottom frame 26 may be adjusted to adjust the transverse slope of the bottom set of leveling rolls 28. By this adjustment, one end of the bottom set of leveling rolls is moved toward or away from the top set of leveling rolls. If it is desired to raise the exit end of the bottom frame 26 and the set of leveling rolls 28 associated therewith, the motor 262 is energized to retract the wedge members 68 and 90 while motors 258 and 248 remain deenergized. The end of the bottom frame 26 adjacent the roller leveler exit end 36 is moved upwardly to the position illustrated in FIGURE 19 and designated by the letter D. It should be noted in this adjustment that the bottom frame 26 pivots at a location adjacent the roller leveler entry end 34.

To lower the end of the bottom frame 26 adjacent the exit end 36, the motor 262 is energized in the opposite direction while motors 248 and 258 remain inactive. This advances wedges 68 and 90 to move the end of the bottom frame 26 downwardly to a desired adjusted position. Where it is desired to adjust the end of the bottom frame 26 adjacent the roller leveler entry end 34, the motor 258 is energized to retract the wedges 66 and 92 and raise the entry end of the bottom frame 26 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 19 and designated by the letter E. To lower the entry end of the frame 26, the motor 258 is reversed to advance the respective wedges 66 and 92.

It should be noted that wedges 66 and 92 are tied to each other and to motor 258 through the respective gearing and shafting so that both wedge members 66 and 92 must retract or advance the same linear distance. With this arrangement, the entry end of bottom frame 26 must remain in the same plane and inadvertent longitudinal tilt cannot be imparted to the bottom frame 26 of the bottom set of leveling rolls 28. Similarly, wedges 68 and 90 are tied to each other and to motor 262 by the previously described gearing and shafting and the wedges 68 and 90 must advance or retract the same linear distance. This again prevents imparting any inadvertent longitudinal tilt to the bottom frame 26.

Longitudinal tilt Where it is desired to apply a greater pressure to one edge of the strip as it passes through the roller leveler 10, the bottom set of leveling rolls is adjusted, as is illustrated in FIGURE 20. Where a greater pressure on the edge of the sheet adjacent the operators side 32 is necessary for proper flattening, the bottom frame 26 is adjusted to the position illustrated in FIGURE and designated by the letter F. The elevation of the operators side of the bottom frame 26 is accomplished by retracting the opposed wedges 90 and 92 located on the operators side of the roller leveler. The motors 258 and 262 are inactive. Motor 248 is energized to rotate respective shafts 244 and 180 associated with mechanical actuators 142 and 144. The shafts 244 and 180 rotate the worm wheel 162 within the respective mechanical actuators 142 and 144 to rotate the respective shafts 194a and 194. The shafts are retracted in worm wheel 164 because of the threaded engagement therebetween and the shafts 194 are also rotated in the circular nuts 122. The differential in threads retracts the wedges and 92 as previously described in reference to FIGURES 9 and 10. The retraction of the pair of opposed wedges 90 and 92 elevates the operators side of the bottom frame 26 to the position illustrated by the letter F in FIGURE 20.

Where it is desired to elevate the drive side 30 of bottom frame 26, the motor 248 is actuated in an opposite direction to advance the wedges 90 and 92 toward each other so that the operators side 32 assumes the position illustrated in FIGURE 20 and designated by the letter G. In this position, the longitudinal axis of the leveling rolls 28 supported by bottom frame 26 is adjusted so that the drive side of the leveling rolls is higher than the operators side. Where it is desired in the adjusted position illustrated by the letter G in FIGURE 20 to move the entire frame upwardly, the previously described height adjustment is made wherein both motors 258 and 262 are energized to rotate the respective shafts 260 and 264 the same number of revolutions. This adjustment would then move the bottom frame 26 upwardly while the frame 26 remains in the same adjusted position illustrated by the letter G in FIG- URE 20. Also, the motor 248 could be energized simultaneously with motors 258 and 262 to provide simultaneous height adjustment and longitudinal tilt.

It should be understood that the motor 248 and mechanical actuators 142 and 144 and the shafting and gearing associated therewith could also be positioned on the drive side 30 to raise and lower the drive side of the bottom frame 26 in a manner similar to the operators side 32 as is illustrated. Further, where desired, mechanical actuators similar to mechanical actuators 142 and 144 may be substituted for mechanical actuators 208 and 210 on the drive side of the roller leveler and a motor similar to motor 248 connected thereto through similar shafting. The arrangement on the drive side 30 would be the same as that on the operators side 32 to thus provide for vertical adjustment of either the operators side or the drive side of the bottom frame 26.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle, preferred construction, and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. In a roller leveler having a bottom set of leveling rolls mounted in a bottom frame member, a top set of leveling rolls mounted in a top frame member, said top frame member positioned in overlying relation with said bottom frame member between fixed corner posts, said corner posts maintaining said top frame member in overlying relation with said bottom frame member and serving as guides for vertical movement of one of said frame members relative to the other of said frame members, said frame members having a generally rectangular configuration with a first side portion, a second side portion, a first end portion and a second end portion, the improvement comprising,

first adjusting means supporting one of said frame members adjacent said first side portion,

second adjusting means supporting one of said frame members adjacent said second side portion,

first drive means mechanically connected to said first adjusting means and said second adjusting means, said first drive means operable to raise and lower said first end portion of said frame member while maintaining the same longitudinal slope of said frame member and said leveling rolls associated therewith, and

second drive means mechanically connected to said first adjusting means, said second drive means operable to raise and lower one side of said frame member While maintaining the same transverse slope of said frame member and said leveling rolls associated therewith.

2. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 1 which operable to move said last named Wedge member linearly. 6. In a roller leveler having a bottom set of levellng pair of spaced bearing journals, each of said hearing journals having portions abutting and in slidable relation with a surface of a pair of said corner posts to maintain said bottom set of leveling rolls in underlying relation with a top set of leveling rolls,

includes, 5 said bottom frame having support member extending third drive means mechanically connected to said first outwardly from said side portions,

adjusting means and said second adjusting means, said support members each having an undersurface said third drive means operable to raise and lower with pairs of spaced arcuate recessed portions said second end portion of said frame member while therein, maintaining the same longitudinal slope of said frame slipper members having a planar bottom surface and member and said leveling rolls associated therewith. an arcuate upper surface with substantially the same 3. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 1 in which, configuration as said arcuate recessed portions posisaid first adjusting means includes a pair of Wedge tioned in said recessed portions with said planar surshaped members positioned in spaced relation to faces extending downwardly therefrom,

each other, 0 a pair of guide members extending transversely of said said frame member slidably supported adjacent one rolls and secured to said base member beneath said side portion on the inclined surface of both of said bottom frame support members,

wedge members, pairs of spaced opposed wedge members positioned in said wedge members arranged upon movement toward said guide members and each having one of said and away from each other to lower and raise one slipper members positioned on an inclined surface of side of said frame member. said respective wedge member,

4. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 3 in which, said wedge members through said slipper members said second adjusting means includes a second pair of supporting said bottom frame member and said botwedge shaped members positioned in spaced relation to tom set of leveling rolls, each other, said wedge members arranged to move linearly in said said frame member slidably supported adjacent the guide member to raise or lower the side portions and other side portion on the inclined surface of both the end portion of said bottom frame to thereby of said wedge members of said second pair, said change the height, longitudinal slope and transverse second pair of wedge members arranged upon moveslope of said bottom frame member and said bottom ment toward and away from each other to lower t f leveling rolls supported thereon,

and raise the other side of said frame m said slipper members arranged to rotate in said recessed said first drive means mechanically connected to one portions as said wedge members move linearly of said wedge members of each pair adjacent to said relative thereto, and

first end portion of said frame, adjusting means to selectively move said respective said first drive means operable to move said wedge wedge members in said guide members.

members connected thereto the same linear distance 8, I a oll l l as Set forth i l i 7 i hi h to thereby maintain the same longitudinal slope of id dj i means i l d said frame member as said first en Portion of Said first drive means mechanically connected to one of said frame member is raised or lowered relative to said wedge members of each pair adjacent to said frame other frame member. member first end portion, said first drive means oper- 5. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 4 in WhlCh, able to move i respective wedge members in Said said first drive means and said second drive means are guide members to raise and lower id f a mechanically Colmficted to one Wedge membe? of ber first end portion and change the transverse slope one f Said Pairs of Wedge members so that elther of said frame member while maintaining the same said first drive means or said second drive means is longitudinal slope of said frame member and said leveling rolls supported thereon, second drive means mechanically connected to one of said wedge members of each pair adjacent to said frame member second end portion, said second drive means operable to move said respective Wedge members in said guide member and raise and lower said rolls mounted in a bottom frame member, a top set of leveling rolls mounted in a top frame member, said top frame member positioned in overlying relation with said bottom frame member, the improvement comprising,

pairs of spaced opposed wedge members supporting one of said frame members adjacent opposite sides bottom frame member second end portion and change the transverse slope of said frame member while maintaining the same longitudinal slope of said frame thereof, member and said levelin rolls su orted thereon actuating m a s to move Sald Wedge members of Sald said first and second drive rieans ope i' able to move said pairs towardan W from each Othm' to thereby wedge members mechanically connected thereto to lower and reuse the side of said frame member supraise and lower Sad f b d h ported thereby relative to Said other frame member, height of said bot tom fi m e fiefn bzf wiiiie rifi it and drive means to actuate said actuating means and move ggg i g gf figii g lz gg sgldhframe said Wedge members of said pairs relative to ealclh and g P1 e I ereon, other, said wedge members operable to change t e height, longitudinal slope and transverse slope of said thud duve means meFhamcany confected a panhams member Supported thereon. wedge members ad acent to one side portion of said 7. In a roller leveler the combination comprising, frame F 531d thlrd drive means Operable to a base member having four corner posts extending move Sald 8? melllbefs toward and y from upwardly th f each other 1n sald guide member to lower or raise a bottom set of leveling rolls mounted in a bottom Said first Side Portion of Said frame member to frame member, change the longitudinal slope of said frame memsaid bottom frame member having a generally recber and said leveling rolls supported thereon while tangular configuration with a first end portion, a maintaining the same transverse slope of said frame second end portion, a first side portion and a second member. side portion, 9. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 7 in which, said bottom set of leveling rolls rotatably mounted in a said pair of wedge members supporting said frame member first side portion each includes a longitudinal threaded bore,

an actuator shaft having a first threaded end portion threadably secured in said wedge member threaded bore,

a mechanical actuator housing secured to said adjacent corner post,

a first worm wheel rotatably supported in said housing and having a threaded bore therethrough,

a second worm wheel rotatably supported in said housing and having a bore therethrough aligned with said bore of said first worm wheel with radially inwardly extending key members,

said actuator shaft having a second threaded portion adjacent the other end and longitudinal key receiving recessed portions,

said actuator shaft extending through the aligned bores of said worm wheels and threadedly secured in said first worm wheel and with said key members of said second worm wheel extending into said shaft key receiving recessed portions,

said actuator shaft arranged to rotate and move linearly in said first worm wheel bore upon rotation of said second worm wheel while said first worm wheel remains fixed to thereby move said wedge member is said guideway, and

said actuator shaft arranged to move linearly in said second worm wheel upon rotation of said first worm wheel while second worm wheel remains fixed to thereby move said wedge member in said guideway.

10. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 9 in which,

said pair of wedge members supporting said frame member second side portion each includes,

a second actuator shaft secured thereto and extending therefrom, said second actuator shaft having a threaded end portion,

a housing secured to said adjacent corner post,

a third worm wheel rotatably supported in said housing and having a threaded bore therethrough,

said second actuator shaft threadedly secured in said threaded bore and arranged upon rotation of said third worm wheel to move linearly relative thereto and move said wedge member connected thereto in said guide member,

first drive means connected to and arranged to rotate said first worm wheel associated with said wedge member adjacent said frame member first end portion and said third worm wheel associated with said other wedge member adjacent said frame member first end portion,

second drive means connected to and arranged to rotate said first worm wheel associated with said wedge member adjacent said frame member second end portion and said third worm wheel associated with said other wedge member adjacent said frame member second end portion,

third drive means connected to and arranged to rotate both of said second worm wheels associated with said pair of wedge members adjacent said first side portion of said frame member.

11. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 9 which includes first drive means connected to and arranged to rotate said first worm wheel associated with said wedge member adjacent said bottom frame member first end portion,

second drive means connected to and arranged to rotate said first worm wheel associated with said wedge member adjacent said second end portion, and

third drive means connected to and arranged to rotate both of said second worm wheels associated with said pair of wedge members adjacent said first side portion of said bottom frame member.

12. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 7 in which,

said pair of wedge members supporting said frame member second side portion each includes,

an actuator shaft secured thereto and extending therefrom, said actuator shaft having a threaded end portion,

a housing secured to said adjacent corner post,

a third worm wheel rotatably supported in said housing and having a threaded bore therethrough,

said actuator shaft threadedly secured in said threaded bore and arranged upon rotation of said third worm wheel to move linearly relative thereto and move said wedge member connected thereto in said guide member.

13. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 12 which includes,

first drive means connected to and arranged to rotate said third worm wheel associated with said wedge member adjacent said frame member first end portion, and

said second drive means connected to and arranged to rotate said third worm wheel associated with said wedge member adjacent said second end portion.

14. In a roller leveler as set forth in claim 7 in which,

said bottom frame support member recessed portions have a substantially spherical configuration,

said slipper members each having a substantially spherical upper surface of substantially the same configuration as said recessed portions,

said slipper members positioned in said recessed portions and arranged to maintain surface contact within said recessed portions in substantially all adjusted positions of said bottom frame member.

15. In a wedge type adjusting means, the combination comprising,

a frame member having a first side portion and a second side portion spaced from said first side portion,

a first pair of opposed wedge members positioned in spaced relation to each other beneath and supporting said frame member adjacent said first side portion,

first guide means for said first pair of opposed wedge members operable to guide said wedge members toward and away from each other,

a second pair of opposed wedge members positioned in spaced relation to each other beneath and supporting said frame member adjacent said second side portion,

second guide means for said second pair of opposed wedge members operable to guide said second pair of wedge members toward and away from each other,

first drive means for one wedge member of each pair of wedge members positioned beneath said opposite side portions of said frame member, said first drive means operable to move said one wedge member of each pair equal distances toward and away from the other wedge member, and

second drive means for one pair of wedge members operable to move each of said wedge members of said pair toward and away from each other equal distances to elevate and lower one side portion of said frame member while said other side portion remains fixed,

third drive means for said other wedge member of each pair of wedge members, said third drive means operable to move said other wedge member of each pair equal distances toward and from said opposed wedge member,

said first and third drive means operable to elevate and lower said platform while maintaining the same slope in said frame member.

16. In a wedge type adjusting means as set forth in claim 15 in which,

means to move said wedge members of said respective pairs toward and away from each other equal distances to change the elevation of said frame member,

said wedge members each having an upwardly facing inclined surface,

said frame member under surface having recessed portions in overlying relation with said wedge members, and

slipper members positioned in each of said recessed portions and slidable on said wedge member inclined portion therebeneath,

said slipper members arranged to support said frame member on said Wedge member inclined surface in the adjusted positions of said frame member.

17. In a wedge type adjusting means as set forth in claim 16 in which,

said recessed portions in said frame member having an arcuate semi-circular configuration aligned with said wedge members, and

said slipper members having an arcuate semi-circular upper surfaces mating with said recessed portions and a planar bottom surface,

said slipper member bottom surface arranged to slide on the inclined portion of said respective wedge member and said arcuate semi-circular upper surface arranged to move in said recessed portions and maintain surface contact between said frame member and said slipper members.

18. In a wedge type adjusting means as set forth in claim 15 in which,

said 'wedge members having a first end portion, a second end portion, a planar bottom surface and an inclined upper surface, said first end portion having a vertical dimension greater than said second end portion to provide said inclined upper surface therebetween,

said wedge members of said respective pairs positioned with said first end portions facing each other, and

said wedge members of said respective pairs being spaced from each other in said guide members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,638,143 7/1949 Maust 72--165 X 2,742,949 4/1956 Nilsson 72-165 X 2,796,908 6/1957 Shields 72165 X 2,890,738 6/1959 Koch et a1. 72-163 2,963,071 12/1960 Krynytzky 7216 3 X 3,156,288 11/1964 Lawson 72165 3,301,031 l/1967 Beaver 72-464 X FOREIGN PATENTS 477,765 6/1929 Germany.

MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner 

